Volume 1, Chapter 55: Annihilating the Camp

Ye Xuan’s voice, imbued with an unyielding authority and urgency, echoed across the vast wilderness.

“Full speed ahead!”

“Yes, sir!”

Without hesitation or question, the remaining eight thousand Snow Dragon Cavalry, under the deputy commander’s orders, instantly transformed from stillness into a rushing torrent.

The earth trembled as if bowing to the will of this invincible force.

Cradling the unconscious Su Qingxue in his arms, Ye Xuan’s heart sank like a stone.

His fingers still rested gently on her pale wrist, channeling pure spiritual energy ceaselessly, cautiously guarding her flickering life pulse.

The situation was far worse than he had imagined.

This was not merely a relapse of an old ailment but a chronic, deep-seated illness suppressed within her body, now erupting like a volcano under the strain of extreme emotional turmoil and physical exhaustion.

Her life force was draining away at an alarming rate.

Streams of divine medical knowledge flowed through his mind, countless healing methods flashing before his eyes.

But each required an absolutely safe and sterile environment, plus his undivided attention and immense spiritual energy to perform the cure.

In this perilous borderland of Beimang, even the slightest negligence could spell ruin.

He could not afford to put himself or this newly acquired ace army at risk.

Therefore, the immediate priority was to find a secure place where he could act freely!

“Scouts, advance ten miles ahead, search in a fan-shaped formation!”

“Report any suspicious signs immediately!”

The deputy commander’s orders were delivered clearly. Scores of elite scouts took flight like birds, separating from the main force and vanishing beyond the horizon.

The army, like a vast net spread wide, silently pressed forward.

Time slipped away, second by second.

Su Qingxue’s face in Ye Xuan’s arms grew increasingly pale; her breathing weakened to nearly nothing.

Just as Ye Xuan’s patience neared its end, a scout galloped back like a specter from the distance, reining in a hundred yards from the army, dropping to one knee, and calling out in a booming voice:

“Report, my lord! Eight miles ahead lies a hidden valley, the entrance concealed, with abundant signs of troop activity — suspected to be the lair of the Beimang Rangers!”

Ye Xuan’s eyes sharpened instantly, keen as an eagle’s.

The lair of the Beimang Rangers?

Truly, after endless searching, fortune had come effortlessly!

His cold gaze swept over the frail Su Qingxue in his arms; there was no hesitation left.

“Order it!”

His voice chilled like the abyssal frost.

“All troops, target the valley!”

“Exterminate every living being—leave no survivors!”

“I want to see a clean camp within half an hour!”

“Yes, sir!”

---

Almost simultaneously as Ye Xuan issued the command,

On the other side of the valley, a deputy general led a thousand Snow Dragon Cavalry, cornering the scarred fugitive leader into a desperate trap.

“Who... who exactly are you people!?”

The scarred leader’s horse foamed at the mouth, exhausted and collapsing, while he himself fell to the ground, trembling with terror before a thousand deathly warriors seemingly risen from the depths of hell.

His pride in horsemanship and speed was laughable before them.

No matter how he changed direction or urged his steed, they followed relentlessly, as if toying with a helpless mouse.

The deputy general looked down calmly, eyes devoid of emotion, as if surveying a corpse.

“You are not worthy of knowing.”

Slowly, he raised his spear; its tip gleamed bloodthirstily in the setting sun.

“The lord’s order: fugitives die!”

The scarred leader’s desperation flared, and with a final burst of will to survive, he pointed behind at the valley entrance, shouting:

“Don’t kill me! I know a secret! This valley is a secret stronghold of our Tuge tribe! It stores large amounts of grain and... and kidnapped women! I will give you everything if you spare my life!”

The deputy general hesitated for a moment.

At that instant, keen ears caught the thunderous galloping of horses from the other side of the valley.

The lord’s army had arrived!

The deputy general no longer wasted words; the last trace of mockery vanished from his eyes.

“Your intelligence is valuable.”

“As a reward...”

The scarred leader’s eyes flared with wild hope.

“...I grant you a swift death.”

With a soft “pfft,”

The white spear effortlessly pierced his heart.

The joy on the fugitive’s face froze, replaced by endless terror and regret, as life slipped away completely.

The deputy general withdrew his spear, coldly flicked the blood drops away, turned his horse toward the valley, and ordered:

“A squad, obey my command!”

“Follow me... charge in!”

---

When Ye Xuan led the army to the valley entrance, the faint sounds of shouts and screams already echoed from within.

He knew it was the previous force.

Without pause, he spurred his horse forward.

The scene before him caused a slight frown.

It was a sizeable encampment, with dozens of crude tents, scattered animal bones and debris everywhere, the air heavy with a nauseating stench of blood and decay.

Several disheveled Beimang barbarians had just rushed out of the tents, barely recognizing their enemy before white lightning bolts pierced their bodies.

The massacre raged on.

Only now, the battlefield was dirtier and fouler.

“Someone!”

---

Ye Xuan’s voice rang out amidst the chaotic battlefield.

“Reporting, my lord!”

The deputy general, drenched in blood, emerged from the largest tent and hurried to Ye Xuan’s horse, dropping to one knee.

“My lord, 172 Beimang barbarians remain here; over half have been eliminated. Please wait a moment longer.”

“No need.”

Ye Xuan glanced down at Su Qingxue in his arms; his voice brooked no argument.

“Immediately clear out the cleanest tent, light a fire, boil water! Quickly!”

“Yes, sir!”

The deputy general rose at once and personally led the effort.

The Snow Dragon Cavalry’s efficiency was terrifying—within a quarter of an hour, the entire camp was secured.

Bodies were dragged to a corner for disposal; a spacious tent was thoroughly cleaned, a brazier lit inside to dispel the cold dampness.

Ye Xuan entered the tent with Su Qingxue, gently placing her on a prepared fur blanket.

He waved his hand, signaling everyone to withdraw.

Inside the tent, only he and the unconscious Su Qingxue remained.

He took a deep breath, clearing his mind of distractions.

His fingers poised like swords, golden spiritual energy visibly swirling at their tips.

Without hesitation, he swiftly loosened the ties at Su Qingxue’s chest, revealing her pale skin.

Beneath the surface, faint wisps of black aura drifted slowly, like bone maggots.

“Break!”

Ye Xuan uttered a low command, his fingers moving swiftly.

The golden spiritual energy pierced her vital acupoints with needle-like precision.

Seal, suppress, cleanse!

His movements flowed like water, but a fine sweat broke out on his brow.

The chronic illness within Su Qingxue was more stubborn than he had imagined; the black aura seemed alive, wildly resisting his spiritual blockade.

A full incense stick’s time passed.

Only then did Ye Xuan slowly withdraw his fingers, his complexion pale.

He carefully covered Su Qingxue again, watching as her face, though still unconscious, regained a faint flush and her breathing steadied.

For now, she was stable.

But complete eradication would take more than a day.

He stepped out of the tent, squinting against the dazzling sunlight.

Zhao Yang waited outside.

“My lord, the camp is fully under control. Also... we found some kidnapped women from Great Qian in several tents.”